Lens for Engagement Pics?

My brother and his fiance want me to shoot some photos of them, engagement pictures that is. I don't have many lenses, in fact only two, the 50mm 1.8II and the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6. Clearly neither of this are good to work with.

I was thinking of renting the 24-70 2.8, but would like some opinions from those of you who do a lot of photography in this kind of area. Should I also consider renting a flash? If so what kind?

Any help would be great.

I shoot with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi or 400D, whatever you might call it in your county.

I plan on renting the lens, cannot afford one right now. Are there any places you would recommend (United States) that is good to rent from? I'm currently looking at the borrowlenses website.

Thanks!

What's wrong with the 50mm? I'd stick with what you have and try to find some nice natural light (preferably late in the day) somewhere....

If you insist on renting something, the 24-70L is a good choice. I used that along with my 70-200 on my last engagement shoot (check my blog)

If you can time it right with the light, you might not need a flash.

As long as you're renting, why not rent Canon's best mid-range zoom? That would be the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

Just the right zoom range for engagement pics and top quality optics.

-js

If you must rent, check with Barry at CameraLensRentals.com. Here is a link to his website cameralensrentals.com

Nothing wrong with the nifty.. I wouldn't use the 18-55 though just my personal opinion. Move your feet and framefor the 50.

Use what you have, I assume your doing this for free, so why spend money on a rental when the 50 is more then good enough imo, Like mentioned before if the light is right you can get some great shots. However if you are renting I would say the 17-55 as well, I have rented that as well and it's golden

Good Luck

Mark

You can get great results with either the 50 or 18-55. THESE were were taken with an XSi and 18-55 IS lens, in terrible, bright sunlight. I had a 580 EX mounted on the camera to fill in the shadows a bit. These were straight out of the camera and uploaded to the net with no editing at all. Not that these are great shots...but the lens is capable of producing sharp pictures.

The 50 1.8 is a very good lens and would be fine for your portraits, I would say your money might be better spent on a flash.

Just do your best with the Nifty Fifty and keep the kit lens around if you need a wide shot.

I just don't know how much room I will have with the 50. They want to go to a certain place and I don't know if I'll have the room to work with.

HailttRedskins wrote in post #10949854
I just don't know how much room I will have with the 50. They want to go to a certain place and I don't know if I'll have the room to work with.

Then use your 18-55. My son has made quite a few stunning images with the very first model of the 18-55 that came out with the first Digital Rebel (D300?). If you cannot make good images with that lens, it is quite probably not the lens' fault.

HailttRedskins wrote in post #10944078
, in fact only two, the 50mm 1.8II and the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6. Clearly neither of this are good to work with.

!

both of those lens are good to work with, especially if it's the 18-55IS

It's not the IS version. I think I'm just going to do the 50mm and if no good then do a rerun with a rented lens.

HailttRedskins wrote in post #10953783
It's not the IS version. I think I'm just going to do the 50mm and if no good then do a rerun with a rented lens.

I'd suggest taking the 18-55 anyway. It's not as good as the IS, but stopped down a couple of stops it's quite usable. As long as you're not shooting into the sun (flare is a problem with the original 18-55).

Y'know, you can get an 18-55 IS used for less than $100...

-js

I'm not a fan of the old kit lens, but you should be able to do okay with the 50. Look through the engagement and senior pic shots here. You probably want some fill, whether its from a flash or a reflector. You can make a cheap reflector from white foamcore board or foil on cardboard. Just bring someone along to help aim it.

What about the 85mm? How do you think that would work?